As New England faces one of the worst flu seasons in nearly a decade, public health officials are reminding Rhode Islanders to take proper precautions.
“The most important thing is not to scare people, but to encourage people to get vaccinated,” said Rhode Island State Epidemiologist Dr. Suzanne Bornschein. “It’s definitely not too late.”
So far, more than 900 Rhode Islanders have been hospitalized with the flu this season and 10 people have died — and that’s just up to the end of the first week of February — according to a news release from the state Department of Health. Flu season typically runs from October to May.
If the virus continues to spread at this rate, this could be the worst flu season since 2017.
According to the CDC, the nation and the region are also experiencing high flu rates.
Although Rhode Island does not keep track of outpatient flu numbers, sentinel data collected from primary care providers by the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network suggests Rhode Island is actually doing comparatively well.
The Rhode Island Department of Health suggests everyone age 6 months and older to get a flu shot, noting that it’s vital for older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Public health officials are also urging Rhode Islanders to remember the lessons we all learned during the pandemic: wash hands frequently, cough into your elbow, and if you feel sick stay home, rather than risk infecting others.
Many of the same rules of hygiene apply to containing the spread of norovirus, also known as a stomach bug, which is also on the rise.
State officials say more than 70 clusters of cases have been identified in Rhode Island so far this season.
Norovirus tends to appear in clusters — around, say, a household, a classroom, a workspace, or the like — because of the way the virus spreads. Unlike influenza, a respiratory illness that spreads through the air, norovirus spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces. Bleach-based cleaners can be effective in disinfection.
Rhode Island health officials say the state’s COVID-19 infection rate decreased slightly during the past month. Even so, state officials are also urging all Rhode Islanders 6 months and older to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine just in case.
This story was reported by The Public’s Radio.
